August Bank Holiday Newsletter 2015

So let’s open this month with the closure of the transfer window.

You could say a window closes only for a trapdoor to open to others, and a ‘lock in’ for one David who has met his De Goliath. For some it’s been the dream of a lifetime, but it’s seems for a few it has been a coat of technicolour nightmares.

The sums of money involved may only buy a small pied-a-terre in Clapham, and apparently this is where David de Gea will be spending his season after getting his foot trapped in the revolving door that is the transfer window.

Perhaps Real Madrid misunderstood the mañana culture, and thought tomorrow was another day.

United now have more goalkeepers than strikers, Chelsea have… Well no-one of any consequence, OK, OK a donkey called Pedro, and are the fans falling out of love with Jose?

A friend has stopped sleeping in her onesie such is her displeasure, and she loved Jose, a love that she hoped that would endure beyond Christmas, as a manger is not just for Christmas. Manchester City have already won the title now they have disposed of Edin Djecko.

So far, I have not mentioned one English player or coach in that last little histoire.

So spare a thought for the youth of today, because children are our future, a good example being Miles Storey. Who he? You might ask. Born and raised in West Bromwich, not the greatest start in life, but the under-19 England International who doesn’t seem to have been able to get his feet under a breakfast table anywhere. Out on loan at Salisbury City, Shrewsbury Town, Portsmouth, Newport County, but no Village Hall side, he has now been loaned to footballs equivalent of Siberia, Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He’s not even the club doctor! Proving that being a professional footballer isn’t all about the glamour!

Perhaps he could join the 9 sperm donors at Britain’s Sperm Bank, by all accounts they are all referees, well you know how the song goes.

Our bank is sorely lacking in donors since the law was changed so that the identity of the donor can be disclosed. Back to the song!

We are being encouraged to do it the way the Danish do it; what do they do differently?They proudly say, this is the Viking invasion, exports from Denmark are beer, Lego and sperm. It’s a source of pride.

They left out bacon and associated pork products, and I am reminded of Rebecca Loos. At least the French only replaced steak with horse meat. Think of the Danish consequences!

We are surrounded by the titans of Northern Europe. The Danes and their banking system, the Germans and their sausages and the grandest saveloy of them all Vladimir Putin.

A small group of scientists are holed up in a cabin inside the Arctic Circle, trapped by an aurora of Polar Bears walking around growling outside, not a laughing matter, the scientists are only armed with only a flare gun and ‘pooh sticks’, which has not struck the fear of God into the bears.

However the scientist’s plight is about to get worse. It’s a slow news day in Russia, and Vlad has seen another photo opportunity to raise his masculinity to new heights, he is headed off to save the scientists and wrestle shirtless with the Polar Bears.

Goodness, I hope none of the bears are Gay, you know Vlad’s thoughts on that, and Darren’s bear hunting joke. It’s just reminded me of the end of the film ‘Trading Places’!

I have been away for a few days, not my usual Ibiza month long Party, Party, Party. I spent this time meditating in solitude, high in the hills in Mallorca. My monastic existence involved me walking down to a “beach” on a spur of land called Foradada, 5km away and 450m below.

Foradada

Foradada

I donned my aged and trusty Five Fingers, and headed out. Down and down through the lush pine forest I descended, the dusty, pebbled path in 35C heat was quite pleasant, but the Five Fingers weren’t ideal for this.

After nearly an hour I arrived at the cove, to find quite a large restaurant. Lunch I thought. I asked the waiter if there was room for a solitary, weary traveller. “I’m sorry Sir, we are fully booked, but you can have a drink at the bar”, he replied. I was slightly taken aback, I’m pretty fit and although I do possess some Super-Human powers (see last newsletter), it was a tough walk down, but was going to be a much tougher walk back after lunch. How were they going to fill all those tables?

“All our clients arrive by boat”, he explained.

Invigorated by a coffee and a beer, I decided I would jog back to the top!

http://www.saforadada.com

After my physical exertions, I descended onto the flatter parts of the island in search further peace and quiet, and one of my favourite vinicolas, 4Kilos in Felatnitx. They produce a fabulous red wine called 12 Volts.

4 kilos

4 kilos

Then it was onto Pollenca to discuss with our decorator the required elements for the new cycling venture we are preparing as Winter base for you all. Perhaps ‘Team Volpe’ will soon be rivalling Sky?

Later that day I wandered along a white, sandy beach, turquoise water to my right…….hundreds of yards of nature ists to my left! My karma was left in tatters, why is it those who shouldn’t be, are?

I escaped into Palma to have dinner with Ivan, Alvaro and Lara. Ian and Lara have set up a lovely Vinoteca in Carrer de Pou, called ‘Wine Industry’, stocked with predominantly local wines and great food. I have known Ivan and Alvaro for many years, form the heady days of Guaraña at Salinas, when Alvaro was a hairdresser! Private joke at Ivan’s expense, and when Martin watching was all the girls favourite pastime. It was like watching dominoes turning as he strode along the beach.

Wine Industry

Wine Industry

Earlier in the month I embarked upon a Roman Holiday. Well I wandered down to Somerset House with friends and lay on the cold cobbles to watch the film.

Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday

Beneath brooding skies.

Brooding Skies

Brooding Skies

And that is my last word on our summer. Blink and you’ll miss it!

I shall end with my 10 favourite collective nouns:

1: A class of students

2: A mob of kangaroos

3: A murder of lawyers

4: A wad of bills

5: A phantasmagoria of phantoms

6: A shrivel of critics

7: A flight of stairs

8: An illusion of magicians

9: A den of thieves

10: A disguising of tailors

Splinter

Splinter

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Sad News

I was saddened by the news that Christopher Lee had died.

I have worked in the retail industry a very long time. In fact I started aged 15 at Butlins in Minehead where I grew up selling “Kiss me Quick” hats and printed t-shirts. It may appear that things haven’t moved on that much.

Later I joined a retail management training scheme at Harrods, and Christopher Lee, was the second celebrity I met, the first was Egon Ronay, both opposite ends of life’s rich tapestry in many respects.

I literally bumped into Christopher Lee on my way back from lunch one day.

Rushing upstairs to get back to my department I was head down, on a mission and not looking where I was going, when I caught him in the midriff with my head. I looked up apologetically only to see Dracula looking down on me. Imagine my terror, was I really that late back from lunch, would the mere contact with him make me one of the undead?

Having grown up with him as the Count, I must have looked terrified, I was mortified, and apologised profusely. He looked down at me and said “Are you hurt? There really is no terrible need to rush, it doesn’t save anything.” Even today I remember the calming tone, and the softness in his voice, I still hear that every time I hear him speak, and yet I scurried off still apologising.

By all rights I should be lying by a pool in Grasse this weekend with a Michelin starred chef preparing my every meal, quaffing a delightfully chilled rose from Bandol. A very big thank you for the offer btw (by the way).LOL!!!!!

However after being away the last couple of weekends and back to Ibiza next for a big birthday bash, there are people who are starting to ridicule me for my apparent ‘jetset’ lifestyle. Sadly I had to kick this trip into the long grass.

I was mocked in the gym this morning by a friend who suggested that I must be claiming benefits, because I clearly don’t work. Ouch!

Now there’s a thought!

He did admit that if he was re-incarnated, he would like to come back as me, too late my friend, I’ve grabbed that slot!

Look, would you rather read the ramblings of a couch potato?

Following the Fifi fiasco, and the scandal surrounding the voting and bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, the former of which Wikipedia describes as follows:

“The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be the 21st FIFA World Cup an international men’s football tournament, that is currently scheduled to take place between 14 June and 15 July 2018 in Russia”.

Currently scheduled?

So we left it to the Italians to get the better of Vladimir Putin, I love this photo courtesy of Corriere della Sera.

I think Vlad the Impaler may have now “dealt” with guy in the background who is clearly laughing at his expense, but too late the photo is already out there.

And Renzi is only safe because Italy buys so much of Russia’s oil and gas.

Putin

 Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Pistol and Boo – Safe?

Dear, Dear Johnny and Dear, Dear Larry,

It’s a slightly old story, but it seems that ‘Boat People’ are not the only immigrants to fall foul of Australia’s anti-immigration stance.

Whether you arrive on a boat or private jet it appears no matter who you are, you may not be welcome if your paperwork is not in order. However if you are the rather cute Yorkshire Terriers belonging to Johnny Depp and Amber Heard the fate could be a lot worse.

So Johnny was there filming yet another Privates of the Caribbean extravaganza, this time aptly called Dead Dogs Tell No Tales.

I don’t how he could stop such small creatures climbing aboard a private jet, dogging security, hiding under the seats before arriving undetected in the land of Oz. You can’t blame dear, dear Johnny for that.

They they bypassed passport control and security, and headed off to a grooming salon, in Brisbane? Is that some kind of joke? Surely someone must have noticed these little chaps with their diamante collars skipping off across the tarmac to freedom, a spruce up and a blow dry!

Little did they know that Barnaby Joyce was on their case, he’d catch the slippery little suckers, incarcerate them and euthanize (KILL) them if they didn’t high tail it out of there by Saturday night.

Luckily the story has ended well for Pistol and Boo, by strange fortune they managed to escape from gaol, dash to the airport, and with moments to spare clamber aboard the last flight to LA by climbing up the retracting wheels as the plane left the tarmac.

Phew!

However if you are an extremely tired, migrating bird and are desperate for landfall, your tired wings unable to bear you any further, be warned if you are going to touch down in Oz.

Make sure your biosecurity passport is in order, your feathers freshly preened and please try to avoid the anti-aircraft batteries now being set up along the coastline by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Pistol and Boo

Pistol and Boo

Of course there was plenty right and plenty wrong with this, but it did give me something to write about in the middle of the month!

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Made to Measure

Apparently some of you would like to be reminded that we make garments to measure….

And a bit of eye candy, no, no, no, not Emi, it’s all about me, me, me!

Volpe Night Out

Volpe Night Out

I mean around all my travelling, ducking and diving, you want me to work as well. I’ll have you know I didn’t get into this to have a job it’s more of a role according to Boris, and only a couple of hours a fortnight at that.

A few days in Ibiza here, a weekend in Rome there, it’s as if you are trying to cramp my style!

Anyway, talking of style here are some photos of some outfits that I have put together, in order that you might have some idea of what I will mainly be wearing this summer.

Brown Check

These photos have already made an appearance on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for those of you who stalk me in such places.

We finally have a full range of summer fabrics for suits, jackets, shirts and beach towels. As it’s not warm enough for beach towels I’ll post those later. I know I’ll only get a slew of “out of office” from those of you who spend more time reclining on a beach than I do.

Blue Check

I’ll keep you abreast of my exploits and travels at another point as we are only a few days in, and don’t worry I’m storing it up.

Goodness, if I have to put up with Neil and Eugene fighting who has the greater column inches each time I write  one of these things. Luckily neither on them would be seen dead in any of the things I am posting here!

Blue Jersey

And so you know it’s not just about jackets, because dahlinks they are so on trend! Heavens I must leave the little green fairee alone!

Look I’m only trying to sound down, and trendy with the kids, and their social media.

Blue Check Suit

 

I wouldn’t want you to think that we’d forgotten about the suits…. the one above is particularly natty.

Finally here is a photo to show that I can sew. I know you only have my word for that, but I can and have in the past.

Buttonhole by Hand

Me and the elves are capable of anything, suits, jackets, trousers, shirts, ties, socks, underwear, coats and anything else including beach towels, just ask!

I will defer to Bill Murray to finish, more or less.

When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Pimlico and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.

 

New Shirts

Light Blue linen with Dark Blue buttonholes (100% linen), White linen (100% linen) and Navy Blue linen (100% linen)

Light Blue linen with Dark Blue buttonholes (100% linen), White linen (100% linen) and Navy Blue linen (100% linen)

Pink cotton (100% cotton), Blue printed design cotton (100% cotton) and Red micro-dogtooth cotton (100% cotton)

Pink cotton (100% cotton), Blue printed design cotton (100% cotton) and Red micro-dogtooth cotton (100% cotton)

Pink cotton (100% cotton) - close up

Pink cotton (100% cotton) – close up

Blue printed cotton (100% cotton) - close up

Blue printed cotton (100% cotton) – close up

Red micro-dogtooth (100% cotton) - close up

Red micro-dogtooth (100% cotton) – close up

New Shirts and Belts

Spotted linen (100% linen) and Pink Linen (100% linen)

Spotted linen (100% linen) and Pink Linen (100% linen)

Green linen (100% linen) and Green gingham check linen (100% linen)

Green linen (100% linen) and Green gingham check linen (100% linen)

Fuscia linen (100% linen) and Red gingham check linen (100% linen)

Fuscia linen (100% linen) and Red gingham check linen (100% linen)

Blue linen with Red buttonholes (100% linen) and Blue gingham check linen (100% linen)

Blue linen with Red buttonholes (100% linen) and Blue gingham check linen (100% linen)

Brown cotton (100% cotton) and White printed circle linen (100% linen)

Brown cotton (100% cotton) and White printed circle linen (100% linen)

Assorted stretch belts

Assorted stretch belts

Dark Brown, Navy Blue and Black Pony skin belts with Dark Brown suede

Dark Brown, Navy Blue and Black Pony skin belts with Dark Brown suede

New Trousers (and shorts)

Olive, Baby Blue, White and Yellow Washable stretch cotton trousers (97% cotton / 3 % lycra)

Olive, Baby Blue, White and Yellow Washable stretch cotton trousers (97% cotton / 3 % lycra)

Navy Blue, Mint Green, Stone and Red Washable stretch cotton trousers (97% cotton / 3 % lycra)

Navy Blue, Mint Green, Stone and Red Washable stretch cotton trousers (97% cotton / 3 % lycra)

Pale Green, Red, Beige and Mid Blue washable stretch cotton trousers with side adjuster detail (98% cotton / 2% lycra)

Pale Green, Red, Beige and Mid Blue washable stretch cotton trousers with side adjuster detail (98% cotton / 2% lycra)

Floral design stretch cotton (97% cotton / 3% lycra) and Light Blue cotton trousers (100% cotton)

Floral design stretch cotton (97% cotton / 3% lycra) and Light Blue cotton trousers (100% cotton)

Brown, Navy Blue and Grey linen trousers (100% linen)

Brown, Navy Blue and Grey linen trousers (100% linen)

Geometric design (100% cotton) and Floral design shorts (97% cotton / 3% lycra) - Close up

Geometric design (100% cotton) and Floral design shorts (97% cotton / 3% lycra) – Close up

Geometric design (100% cotton) and Floral design shorts (97% cotton / 3% lycra)

Geometric design (100% cotton) and Floral design shorts (97% cotton / 3% lycra)

New Shirts

New shirts, only 10 pieces of each.  Yes, only 10 shirts in each fabric.

Pink, White and Blue cotton Airtex (100% cotton)

Pink, White and Blue cotton Airtex (100% cotton)

Blue large Prince of Wales cotton check (100% cotton)

Blue large Prince of Wales cotton check (100% cotton)

Brown and Blue spotted cotton (100% cotton)

Brown and Blue spotted cotton (100% cotton)

Blue printed circle cotton (100% cotton)

Blue printed circle cotton (100% cotton)

Bold check linens and Dark Blue end-on-end linen (100% linen)

Bold check linens and Dark Blue end-on-end linen (100% linen)

Blue printed circle linen (100% linen)

Blue printed circle linen (100% linen)

Blue large printed circle linen (100% linen)

Blue large printed circle linen (100% linen)

New Knitwear

A new arrival today in the form of some t-shirts and cardigans (both 100% cotton) alongside some 100 % wool V-necks, in a variety of pastel colours.

But we start off with a lightweight cotton cardigan as seen below:

Navy Blue button cardigan with lapels

Navy Blue button cardigan with lapels

Cotton t-shirts with trim

Cotton t-shirts with trim

Light Purple cotton t-shirt with trim

Light Purple cotton t-shirt with trim

Light Blue cotton t-shirt with trim

Light Blue cotton t-shirt with trim

Blue cotton t-shirt with trim

Blue cotton t-shirt with trim

White cotton t-shirt with trim

White cotton t-shirt with trim

Mint Green cotton t-shirt with trim

Mint Green cotton t-shirt with trim

Yellow cotton zip cardigan

Yellow cotton zip cardigan

Mid Blue cotton zip cardigan

Mid Blue cotton zip cardigan

Light Blue cotton zip cardigan

Light Blue cotton zip cardigan

Light Green cotton zip cardigan

Light Green cotton zip cardigan

Navy Blue cotton zip cardigan

Navy Blue cotton zip cardigan

Pastel coloured V-necks with Alcantara elbow patch

Pastel coloured V-necks with Alcantara elbow patch

Grey and Navy Blue V-necks with Alcantara elbow patch

Grey and Navy Blue V-necks with Alcantara elbow patch

New Ties

A delivery of some colourful ties

Knitted Linen Ties in plain colours

Knitted Linen ties in plain colours

Knitted Linen Spotted Ties

Knitted Linen spotted ties

Knitted Silk (60%) and Linen (40%)

Knitted Silk (60%) and Linen (40%) ties

Linen patterned ties

Linen patterned ties

A selection of spotted Silk ties

A selection of spotted Silk ties

A selection of patterned ties, including 100% silk or Linen (50%), silk (35%) & cotton (15%)

A selection of patterned ties, including 100% Silk or Linen (50%), Silk (35%) & Cotton (15%)

Linen (50%), Silk (35%) & Cotton (15%) Ties

Linen (50%), Silk (35%) & Cotton (15%) ties

Silk (30%), Wool (35%) & Cotton (35%) Ties

Silk (30%), Wool (35%) & Cotton (35%) ties